They are two of the most recognisable voices in Australian sport, she the assured and personable anchor for ABC Radio's weekend Grandstand program, he an authoritative sports commentator for cricket, footy, the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and everything in between.

Karen Tighe and Glenn Mitchell are also husband and wife. Karen will be very familiar to MEDCON21 participants by the end of the three-day event, as she is the MC. Glenn is a keynote speaker, in his role as mental health advocate, having dealt with a major depression and suicide attempt.

But MEDCON21 will be something more for the couple. It's the first time Karen is plying her trade at a major event since encephalitis deprived her of her precious gift, a prodigious memory, almost 18 months ago. 

It's been an unusual turn of events for the partners, after Karen turned carer for her stricken husband during his mental health challenge. They've worked closely together before but with Karen now on the comeback trail, MEDCON21 will be a significant milestone for the power couple. They will even share the stage for the question and answer session after Glenn's keynote address.

As sporting comebacks go, it's hard to think of any more satisfying than the one that will unfold for those attending MEDCON21.

To mark Reconciliation Week 2021, the AMA (WA) hosted a lunch for staff yesterday.

They were joined by Whadjuk man Vaughn McGuire, who gave a Welcome to Country. In his address, Vaughn explained the lives of his forebears, including his father, born in a mia mia (Aboriginal shelter) and his grandmother born in Karra katta, what we now know as Kings Park. He described family accounts of first contact with white settlers appearing on Derbarl Yerrigan (the Swan River). 

He presented a vision for reconciliation marked by mutual respect, through listening and speaking.

Vaughn and his son Daniel then performed a song with tapping sticks that has been passed down his family line. 

The barbecue lunch featured organic meat from the Mobile Farm Shop supplied by AMA (WA)’s David McClelland.

Vaughn is pictured with Indigenous AMA (WA) employee Liz Morris.

GPs no longer access higher Medicare rebates by registering their Fellowship status with Services Australia. Your Medicare access will now be linked to your registration status with AHPRA and the Medical Board.

All Fellows who do not hold specialist registration with AHPRA at 16 June 2021 will lose access to Medicare benefits. Most GPs applied to AHPRA and updated their registration by 21 May 2021, to ensure their application is processed by AHPRA and Services Australia.

But some are still outstanding and those GPs are in danger of losing access to Medicare.

AHPRA said they could still lodge online applications, which it could process in two days. A final notice will be sent to GPs on 11 June 2021 reminding them that they are about to lose Medicare access if they don’t take immediate action.

To celebrate WA Day and WA’s biggest medical conference ever, MEDCON21, the AMA (WA) is giving you the chance to win two nights' accommodation at your choice of either The Ritz-Carlton Perth in a deluxe room or the Parmelia Hilton Perth in a king guestroom. 

All you need to do to enter the draw is register for the full three-day MEDCON21 conference before midnight on 7 June 2021.

Presented by the AMA (WA), MEDCON21 is your opportunity to connect with fellow practitioners, gain career-relevant insights from industry leaders and earn CPD points. 

The AMA (WA) is delighted to partner with Morgan Stanley, one of the world’s pre-eminent investment firms in hosting a fireside chat at MEDCON21 between three of its key thought leaders in Australia on the direction of financial markets, the local and global economies and the impact of the numerous vaccines coming to market.

A year after the Great COVID-19 Recession, Stuart Beattie & Jenny Rachmat from the BPF Group in Morgan Stanley’s Perth Wealth Management team will lead a panel discussion with Ian Chambers, Head of Wealth Management, Matt Nicholls, Head of Investment Solutions and Nathan Lim, Head of Wealth Management Research.

They will discuss Morgan Stanley’s views on how the advent of multiple vaccines and unprecedented economic policy response has seen the global economy transition from the repair phase into a mid-cycle recovery phase, what this means for investors and how you should position your portfolio for the future.  

This session on Friday, June 18 at MEDCON21 will be a must for anyone interested in their personal investments or self-managed superannuation fund.

Practitioners who wish to participate in voluntary assisted dying will need to apply to the End of Life Care Program team in the Department of Health for access to the WA VAD Approved Training. The WA VAD Approved Training will be available early this month.

Practitioners can pre-register now to commence the validation process required for access. An information sheet on how to pre-register is available on the voluntary assisted dying website Access to WA VAD Approved Training.

Hear Dr Scott Blackwell and AMA (WA) President Dr Andrew Miller discuss What every medical practitioner needs to know about Voluntary Assisted Dying at MEDCON 21.

The Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, based at Telethon Kids Institute, wants all children to have a healthier start to life through elimination of infectious diseases. The Centre is running a study, FluBub, investigating responses to the flu vaccine when used in babies under six months of age.

Flu is the most common vaccine-preventable disease and young babies are at high risk of a severe infection. Influenza vaccinations are currently licensed for babies six months or older, leaving young babies unprotected when they are most vulnerable. The hope is that this study will lead to changes to the National Immunisation Register, and better protection for babies.

A new Western Australian campaign called the Healthysexual campaign has launched, and is all about preventing, testing, treating and talking to minimise the personal and social impact of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

This campaign is one of the strategies being used to raise awareness around syphilis and other STIs.  The Healthysexual campaign also promotes consent and healthy, respectful sexual relationships by encouraging all sexually active people to talk to their partners about safer sexual behaviours. 

The campaign includes radio and television ads and a new website. Practices seeking to use campaign resources can contact HealthySexual Campaign on 9222 2355 or SHBBVP@health.wa.gov.au.

The list of conditions for which Pfizer (Comirnaty) COVID-19 vaccine is preferred to AstraZeneca for Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) (also called Vaccine-induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia [VITT]) has been expanded to include:

• History of idiopathic splanchnic (mesenteric, portal, splenic) vein thrombosis(NEW)

• Antiphospholipid syndrome with thrombosis (NEW)

• History of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST)

• History of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)

• People with serious potentially life-threatening adverse events attributed to the first dose of AstraZenecasuch as anaphylaxis or TTS (NEW)

From July 2021 onwards the MJA print journal will be moving to e-journal delivery only.

According to the MJA, an e-journal reduces costs and waste (paper, plastic), increasing flexibility and speed of dissemination, as well as improving accessibility.

The MJA e-journal has been developed so you receive an entire journal issue via your email, on the day the issue is released. All the MJA issues will be securely stored on their website for you to access anytime.

To continue receiving the MJA uninterruptedly, send your best email address to e-journal@mja.com.au.

Indian families desperately need practical information and assistance to prevent further spread and devastation from COVID.

WA Indian Doctors Foundation, in association with CINI (Child in Need in India) Australia, is administering a range of responses, such as dedicated COVID assistance centres, wellness kits, rickshaw hire for public health education.

AMA (WA) is proudly supporting this urgent appeal. Donations are invited to allow a reasonable supply of PPE for all CINI Australia staff members and clients (including disadvantaged pregnant mothers and their vulnerable families).

All donations $2 and above are tax deductible. All donors making donations $150 and above will receive lifetime patron status of the WA Indian Doctors Foundation.

The perception that anyone working in the medical profession is likely to be financially secure is not always true. The AMA Benevolent Fund of WA was established many years ago so that members and their families could have the benefit of added financial support in times of need.

The fund has come to the aid of several families since being established and provided much-needed financial security during very difficult times. It could happen to anyone at any time.

Make a contribution to the AMA Benevolent Fund of WA to ensure we are in a position to help. All contributions are tax deductible.